Escape Galge Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Game and Reality

　I retired to bed early so that my skin won’t get wrinkles from the stress. The next day, I woke up in a good mood.
　The unpleasant figure who crushed my efforts is standing on the other side of the door at the entranceway, just like yesterday

“Kii, good morning.”

　Why.
　It’s scary that nothing seems to get to him even though I rejected him that strongly. Gross.

“This, I bought it yesterday. I thought it’d suit you. This gem has the same colour as your eyes. Will you accept it?”

　Perhaps he’s confident; what he holds out with a happy-looking smile is a necklace.

　Certainly, it’s to my liking.
　And that’s scary.

“No thank you.”
“Kii!?”

　『To think I can receive such a wonderful thing from senpai, it feels like a dream』I reflexively jumped at it, but then I came to my senses and let go, apologising with a reddened face. Was he expecting such a development?

　… My mood sure turned sour right from the morning. Ignore. Ignore!

“Ah, Kii! Wait, this.”
“I don’t need it! …… ah.”

The necklace dropped on the floor from the impact when I shook off his hand that was persistently trying to pass it to me.
　The silver chain tangled up, and the key-shaped charm landed in a mess.

“……”

　Silently picking up the necklace, he looked towards me with an extremely lonely appearance, like an abandoned puppy.

　What I had seen had been nothing but serene smiles.

　… What should I do?

　Prick, pain ran through my heart.

　No good, these eyes are no good, don’t look at them.

“… I see you won’t accept it.”
“I will not. However… I’m sorry.” ごめんなさない gomen nasanai

　… I must escape.

　As for what will be bad, I can’t express it well.
　I broke off into a run as though to shake him off.

　Even though I know he’s the most despicable scum.

　That the likes of『a gift for a girl』is nothing special.

　Things more horrible was done to me, so the likes of that extent…

　… Even though I thought so.

　I turn back, but he isn’t there.
　Even though it’s something to cheer over… for some reason I’m not happy.

　My heart still hurts.

　On the contrary, the thing stabbing into my heart sinks deeper whenever I recall his sad-looking face.

“Why do I have to feel this way…”

　I give a small sigh to the asphalt my eyes are gazing at as I hang my head down.

※※※
()

　Breaktime in the interval between lessons.

　It’s terrifying how I used to think『It’s lonely when we can’t meet』around this timing.
　I’m really glad that my eyes are opened now.

　I haven’t recovered from the damage this morning, but I decided to pay it no mind.

　I warned myself that it was『that kind of tactics』and I can’t be moved by them.

　I was on class duty that day, and was requested by the homeroom teacher to move the notes and print-outs from the staff room to the classroom.
　There’s no problem weight-wise, but the piled-up print-outs seem like they’ll slip off anytime and it made walking difficult. Just as I was troubled…

“Kii!”
“Yikes.”

　… It’s him.

　I almost dropped the things I was holding as a result. Close shave!
　When I adjusted my posture, that guy stretched his hand out towards what I was holding.

“I’ll lend a hand.”
“No thank you!”

The heck?

　Even though I’m suffering so much… I’m like an idiot.
　I can only let out dry laughter, haha.

　For now, I must escape from gross-man who’s saying terrifying things as he approach…!

　What should I do? Any ideas? I look around while thinking so, and found a boy who’s from my class nearby.

　He’s terribly ‘average Joe’, and is much like the exemplar of background characters.

　A true『Classmate A』.

“The A-kun there!”
“Ei-kun!?”

When I called out to him, Classmate A-kun was surprised to the point that he seemed like he would spring up.
　Come to think of this, this might be the first time we spoke?

“Sorry. Hold half of this, and come with me to the classroom!”

　For me to suddenly hand him what I was holding, he appeared bewildered.
　It may be incredibly pushy, but I’m about to get caught by gross-man who is distracted!

“Kii!”
“Let’s go! Right now!”

　We advanced with me urging him on, and somehow evaded contact.

　Ah, sorry.
　I forgot about your existence for a moment.

“I was surprised that Torida-san called me『Ei-kun』.”
“I apologise for the abruptness?”

　I felt apologetic that his name doesn’t come to mind even though he’s my classmate.
　A little more and I think I can recall…!

“It-it’s fine. Really! Rather, I’m happy, actually… Can I also call you『Kii-chan』?”
“Eh?”

The moment I wondered how it come to this, I remembered.

　I said『A-kun』, but he heard it as『Ei-kun』.
　It’s so coincidental that I wonder whether it’s a good or bad thing?

“C-can’t I?”

“Thank you! Ki-kii-chan!”

　Maybe he’s shy. His bashful look is cute.

　It may have started with my discourtesy, but I’m glad it was sorted out well.

“Is that be okay?”
“Is what?”

“Kagurazaka-senpai. He seemed like he had business with you.”

“I-is that so.”

　Perhaps the curt way I spoke stunned him; he’s giving a slightly-strained courtesy smile.
　I couldn’t stop that from coming out of my mouth, but he’s probably being strangely considerate because he knows that we[2] were on good terms until recently.

“Did you guys have a fight? You weren’t getting along well recently, right?”

　The question that was asked meekly, was one that gave me a bad premonition.

　… I don’t want to attract too much attention.

“S-sorry! Sounding like I’m prying. It’s just that, it’s becoming a rumour.”
“Rumour?”

　Rumours and the like, please give me a break.
　Rumours don’t circulate with accurate details, and it’s perturbing that they say whatever they want for the fun of it.

“That Kii-chan wasn’t on good terms with Kagurazaka-senpai anymore. To tell the truth, the guys were rejoicing.”

“Ah, because Kii-chan is popular! For some reason, all the popular girls in this school likes Kagurazaka-senpai. It’s dull for the other guys, or so to speak…”

　It’s my first time hearing I’m popular.

　I feel like I’m about to grin while laughing『Dehehe』.

　It doesn’t ring a bell because it’s about myself though…

　At any rate… it’s also the first time I find out that the male students are envious of that guy.

　Perhaps that’s why it’s news to me.
　I do chat with some, but it’s only that guy whose relationship I had with was one whereby we would meet up during holidays.

　… It’s upsetting somehow.

　I don’t need a『boyfriend』, but I do want male friends I can chat with.

“Also, there’s compliments on how your atmosphere changed and you became prettier, Kii-chan.”
“R-really!?”

　That’s delightful, really delightful.

　I wonder if I can take it that they do acknowledge things outside of twin tails!

“Un! I-I… think so too.”

“Gasp!”

　I couldn’t repress my happiness, nor the grin that crept up my face.

　I’m getting all shy.

　It’d be perfect if only the memory of『that guy and I are on good terms』will disappear too though.

“What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing!”

　For some reason, Ei-kun’s face is completely red.

　I’m the same.

　The number of boys I’m on good terms with is zero.
　It seems like I’ll become good friends with Ei-kun.

“Nn?”

　The corridor of another building that could be seen from the window.
　My eyes caught a person with cream-colored hair who halted his movements.

　It’s that guy.

　U-uwaah…

　What is he looking at, this person.

()

　It is Tuesday.
　At any rate, gross-man is probably working on upping the favourability ratings today, too.

　The one whose favourability rating can be raised easily today is the older sister type upperclassman, Tatsumino Shiori.

　She’s a character I like a lot.

　I must saveth her from the demon’s clutches at all costs!

　Shiori leaves for school very early in the morning.

　Flowers and Shiori, together they create the best combination.

　The flowers are probably also delighted to be watered by Shiori.

　… Come to think of it, gross-man said something similar in the game.
　He likely said it in reality too, gross.

　In any case, it’s my chance when Shiori is busy watering the plants.

　I placed it where she will see it the moment she opens her bag, so she should be able to notice it immediately.

　She’s the daughter of a conglomerate’s president.

　Rather than a dream, it’s already a fast-approaching fact.

　To her who, in particular, has a strong sense of monopolization, simply seeing gross-man talk to other girls is aggravating.

　I also wrote,『Please hold dear the people who truly cherish you』in the letter, but I wonder if those words will reach her?

※※※
()

“Fuu.”

Having hid my figure from the scum, class ended safely today too.

　I tidied up as my shoulders drooped from fatigue, and left the classroom.

　I regretfully reject the much-appreciated invitation and head to the entrance alone.

　My head is full of Shiori.

　Maybe it will be better if I make full use of my knowledge of the game and deal another hand.

“You over there!”
“Eh?”

　Even as I was surprised, I turned towards the voice that suddenly came from behind.
　A truly timely person, a violet-haired goddess with her arms folded, stood there.

“Shiori-senpai.”

　Ahh… sure enough, how beautiful!

　A goddess hath descended before me!

“It’s you, isn’t it? The one troubling Aoi!”

“Pretending to withdraw yourself in order to attract his attention, I have seen through you.”
“N-no way…!”

　It can’t be, there’s no visible signs at all that the letter is effective.

　I had predicted this to some extent, but witnessing it right before my eyes, the damage is huge.
　I beg you, don’t become a disappointing beauty…!

“I don’t have such an intention! Please believe me!”

“That’s…”

　Certainly, it’s just as she says.

　『I regained my memories from a previous life』it’s unlikely she’d believe something like that.

　Ahh… but, I want to somehow make her understand!

“I wonder if you can say『I don’t love you』in front of him?”

“That’s right, you canno… eh?”

　I gave an immediate reply.

　It’s Shiori-senpai’s turn to be quiet now.
　There’s a frown on her beautiful face, and she appear doubtful.

“Shiori!? Kii!? Glaring at each other so intensely… stop it, both of you…!”

　When I gazed at Shiori-senpai, hoping she’d believe me, gross-man made his appearance while spouting absurd words.

　Perhaps it’s dangerous to be near Shiori whose favourability rating increases easily today.

　He has an expression that said『Please don’t fight over me』, but it really is kind of cold.
　It’s cold enough that one can almost see a snow storm brewing.

“Aoi…”

　Ahh, how can this be…!

　She gazed at gross-man with desolate eyes that seemed to say,『You saw something embarrassing… however. I don’t want you snatched away from me!』

　Ummー… I don’t have to join in, right?

“You arrived at the right time for me to unravel Shiori-senpai’s misunderstanding.”

　In order to stop the snowstorm, I opened my mouth and stepped in.

　I halted right before Shiori-senpai, who was on her guard as she wonder『what will I say to her』.

“I think nothing of this person. That’s why I can say this.『I do not love someone like this!』I’m not doing this because I want to attract his attention. Actually, rather than this person… I prefer Shiori-senpai!”
“Ehh.” “Eh?”

　The voices of the two overlapped.

　Damn you lowly scum, I won’t forgive you for being『the same』as Shiori-senpai!

“I… want to be a woman as elegant and dignified as senpai!”
“Pardon?”

　Even while knowing it’s disrespectful, I took Shiori-senpai’s hands in mine and locked eyes with her.
　I admire you a lot!

“I want senpai to remain as the lovely Shiori-senpai! Yet, recently…”

　Thereupon, I directed my gaze towards the scum.
　With the meaning of『Wasn’t it this guy’s fault that things went wrong?』.

“What is『truly precious』to senpai?”

“Senpai. Right now, does senpai… have anything you are proud of about yourself? Have you cherished the people who truly cherish you?”
“!?”

　It’s the wise Shiori-senpai we’re talking about. She should be somewhat aware of her situation that worries her closed ones.
　Even though I, who almost confessed to him, have to right to say this so self-importantly, I sincerely hope that you will open your eyes.

“That’s a lovely pendant, isn’t it.”
“!”

　I looked at the pendant around Shiori’s neck as I gently let her hands, that I had been holding, go.

　She inherited this pendant with a violet crystal from her mother.

　Her grandmother gave it to Shiori’s mother, who married into the family, with the words『Do support my son who will be succeeding me』. After which, her mother gave it to Shiori, telling her『It’s up to you to support your father』.
　It’s a pendant filled with the feelings of people Shiori holds dear.

“Shiori?”

Even though gross-man called out to Shiori, she did not move.

　She had most likely seen the letter in the morning.
　Please, remember and realise that the people around you are worried about you.

　After looking down in rumination for a while, senpai let out a small sigh and turned her back towards us.

“Aoi… I am sorry. I will take my leave for today…”

　Shiori-senpai departed with an apologetic smile.

　While this might not have completely opened her eyes, it should impacted her somehow.

　It’ll be fine if it’s Shiori. I want to believe so.
　It’s already a huge success to be able to thwart his upping of her favourability rating this week.

“Kii, why… about me… Can you tell me the reason…”

　Beside me who is seeing Shiori-senpai off pleasantly, the scum stood unmovingly with a downcast look.

　Since I’m in a good mood now, I shall talk to you just a little.

“It is because I realised that there is no『heart』in your words.”

　Truth be told,『I know you tried to capture me! Damn scum!』I wanted to rebuke him.

　I don’t want to know the likes of his circumstances.

　If I pursue in that direction, I will end up having to hear his explanation for it.
　I don’t want to hear something like that.

“Have you really been looking at me?”
“Of course!”

　That’s a lie.

　That isn’t『me』.

“Then… pray tell, are you aware of what I do on days other than Fridays?”
“… Eh?”

　Answer without looking at your smartphone if you had really been looking at me.

　Tell me about the me who isn’t there in the data, the me you had been looking at.

“… T-that’s…”

　His gaze was swimming around the tiny screen.

“… Enough already.”

　As expected, I am an idiot.

　Something like tears will not surface.
　Only a faint laugh did.

“W-wait, Kii!”
“Please don’t touch me!”

　I strongly shook off his hand that tried to hold me back.

“Isn’t it about time you stopped?”

“… No one will be able to see ‘you’ at this rate, you know?”

　Go ahead and enjoy your『game』in school now.

　If you look at nothing but data and refuse to face people properly, no one will remain by your side.

　Who will think of becoming family with a person who will not face them?

　He forget to even blink, and is stupefied.
　Even his mouth remained shut.

　I have no obligation to pay him any heed.
　I left him as he is and took my leave.

 

Chapter end